About St John’sstjtb.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/ASJ-March-2015-21022015.pdf · John’s...
Transcript of About St John’sstjtb.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/ASJ-March-2015-21022015.pdf · John’s...
About St John’s
The parish magazine
of St John’s,
Sevenoaks
March 2015
2
2
3
3
Services: Sundays 8.00am
10.00am 6.00pm
Said Mass Sung Mass with Sunday School Benediction
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays
9.30am Mass
Wednesdays 7.00pm Mass Fridays 10.00am Mass Please refer to the weekly Sunday Pew Sheet for confirmation and timings of weekday services.
Pari
sh C
onta
cts
Vicar Fr Robin Jones [email protected]
451710
Churchwarden David Bonner [email protected]
465853
Churchwarden Jacqueline Dungay [email protected]
833415
Hon. Assistant Priest
Fr Barry Compton 01883 371543
Reader John Robinson 356588 Pastoral Assistant
Jackie Hendry 453010
Organist & Choirmaster
John Hendry 453010
Treasurer Douglas Seal 456124 Hall Bookings Jacqueline Dungay
[email protected] 833415
Head Server Anne-Marie Eames [email protected]
Mothers’ Union Valerie Chaili 460695 Walsingham Cell
Oliver Bunting 07769 903476
Parish Administrator
[email protected] 451710
4
4
“Nunc id nulla. Quisque posuere
eleifend nunc. Pellentesque sed
eros. Maecenas mi
- Ipsum
The Vicar writes …
1
It is with great happiness that I am able to announce that Matthew Robinson will be joining us to serve as Curate at St John’s from this July. Matthew brings a wealth of experience from his previous career, and I know will be a wonderful asset for our Parish. He comes with the recommendation of Fr Robin Ward at St Stephen’s House, where he has trained, not least, alongside our own Michael Payne. Matthew, or Fr. Matthew as he will be, once he is Ordained as a Deacon, introduces himself elsewhere in this magazine. Please keep him in your prayers. I had only told the PCC that they should not expect there to be a Curate for 2015 when I received a phone call the next day. God can always surprise us!
2
We currently find ourselves in the season of Lent. From time to time I come across Clergy who joke about Lent being a dreary time. There is no doubt that many outward things, such as the reduction in music, the lack of flowers in Church, and the sombre use of purple, do create a different atmosphere. Nevertheless, I have always found Lent a positive time. The themes of Christ’s temptation in the desert, and then the awe-inspiring events of Holy Week, are deadly serious, but the gap they provide us in life is a glorious time for prayer,
5
5
3
reconciliation, and renewal. The three ancient Lenten themes of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving should be at the centre of our Lent. I have written on previous occasions on each of these, but would urge you to challenge yourself to do more under each category in the coming weeks. There are plenty of opportunities from Stations of the Cross, Lent Courses, to Frugal Lunches where we can corporately live out our Lent. Try and ensure you are doing more than you normally would be. This year we will keep Holy Week from the 29th of March till the 5th of April. This is the greatest week of the Christian year, and one where we should endeavour to walk with our Lord as much as possible. At the least we should attend on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday,
4
Good Friday and at Easter. Recent years have seen our Easter Vigil be weak on attendance. This is a shame as it is a highlight of the year. No liturgy comes anywhere near it. Perhaps now is the time to decide that you will make the effort to support it this year. I must thank those who organized and came to the St John’s pub lunch earlier this month. I don’t imagine they thought that twenty-five of us would rock up but it was a very good occasion. Coming to spend time together is an important part of being a Church, and I hope they continue. Please support the next one after Easter. Thank you to all those who support and help at our Messy Church sessions. These have taken off well and, even at the quietest, we are getting twenty children
6
6
5
plus parents, and often more. The wonderful thing is that, almost universally, they are those who do not ordinarily attend on a Sunday. It is important that we encourage and open our doors to those who might not otherwise come in. The journey of faith is one that can begin slowly, but from small acorns, huge trees can grow. Thank you all for your patience as we have settled into our new pattern with children on Sundays and at the Family Mass. I know at times it has felt a little chaotic, but increasingly it feels as if children and parents know what they are doing and when. Of course, there will always be a stray toddler (and he will be probably related to me) but it
6
does seem to me to strike a good balance between allowing them a significant part in our liturgy and making sure the Mass is dignified. A number of you have commented that we seem to have more children and families in Church, which I believe we do. Please continue to encourage and welcome them into St John’s. There is the room for this to be a growing and significant part of our ministry at St John’s. As I said at the beginning, God can surprise us, but only if we let him in. This Lent, Holy Week and Easter make the time and space to be surprised.
Fr. Robin
7
7
8
8
Women’s World Day of Prayer
Friday 6th March, 2pm
Praying for The Bahamas
The Church of St Mary the Virgin, Riverhead will be hosting the service. Please join us – all are welcome. Crèche available.
Silver Wedding Celebration at St. John's
1
On the 13 January, there was a cry of astonishment emanating from some residences of three cities spread across two countries when Maria and Ross Martyn recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. It was while they were both students at a university in Perth, Western Australia, that the young couple met and started dating – a week after Ross’s 25th birthday. Upon graduation, they moved to the Australian capital, Canberra, and
2
married a year later in 1990.
A little over a year later they were blessed with the arrival of Emily and twenty-three months later they were blessed again with the arrival of Meredith.
Ever keen to progress their careers and to experience more of what this wonderful world has to offer, with two young children in tow, they moved to the UK, in their pursuit of experiencing the world, they have travelled
9
9
3
widely in Europe and the US. However, not withstanding having lived in three cities, two countries, travelled widely and having multiple career changes, they have found nothing more rewarding and spiritually nurturing than their time at St John the Baptist Church in Sevenoaks. It is at our Church that we feel at home
4
and it is only right that this is where we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary with our extended Church family. Thank you all for all the support that you have given to all of us over the 18 years since we joined the St John’s family.
Ross & Maria Martyn
10
10
1
In 1902 the East end of the church was extended. With the imposing new Chancel the building had an empty, larger area than the people had ever known. Everything had to be provided to furnish it for worship. The photo shows the Chancel with the addition of the additions of pulpit, lectern, organ and beautiful Sanctuary. All this took time, money and effort.
2
The parish magazines of the time provide much information on the needs and the fundraising.
Parish Magazine November 1901
The New Church wants - Chalice and paten
Curtains for the East wall Altar hangings East Window
Choir Stalls - still in use Clergy desks – still in use
Altar Rails Alms Dish - still in use
From our archives … the 1902 Chancel and the choir stalls
11
11
3
Some of the smaller items on the list had been given by Christmas 1901. Funds were set up to buy some of the larger items -
On December 21st 1903 £6.12s was collected by the choir carol-singing around the parish to go towards the Choir Stalls which are so much needed in our beautiful chancel. An Organ Recital was given by Mr. Taylor (organist) in January 1904 assisted by Miss Florence Monk (soprano) and Mr. F. Wood (violin) in aid of choir stall fund.
4
The choir stalls were installed in the chancel in 1906. When the church was re-ordered in the 1960’s they were put at the back of the nave and, for a while, in the North aisle. However, they were eventually moved back into the Chancel and now are situated at the front of the nave, adorned by the beautiful candle holders installed by Graham Davison, a member of our choir.
Marigold Seal
12
12
1
Life at St John’s school is always busy and full of hands on learning. This is particularly true this week which is our book week. On Monday the staff dressed up and illustrated book genres; Mr Still as the princess with a beard was the highlight for many! On Tuesday we thoroughly enjoyed a visit from the author Gareth P Jones. He entertained all year groups and one year 2 described him as “hilarious”
2
Wednesday saw much outside learning. While some classes visited Sevenoaks library, Years 3 and 4 classes went to read with the residents at Gloucester House and Rockdale. Everyone loved it and we’re going back for more as soon as possible! Years 5 and 6 went to see Treasure Island at The National. I was told “the set was incredible, the play was fabulous”. 65 Grandparents of those children in Reception and Year 1 thoroughly enjoyed their Tea and Tales afternoon when the children entertained them beautifully. Finally we all tested our skills at an inter-house Spelling Bee where Red
13
13
3
house narrowly beat the Greens 23 points to 21. Then classes were thrilled to have Mr Inns talk about his job and to watch him create illustrations based on character ideas from the pupils. The artwork is signed, framed and inspiring those of us keen on a career in this field. But book week wouldn’t be book week without the opportunity to dress as our favourite book characters; the costumes just get more inventive every year. So now it’s Thursday and disco time to end the week before we break up for a well-deserved half term holiday. When we return the plans for enriched learning are full and enticing for all year groups.
4
Year 6 are very privileged to be visiting Clarence House on what promises to be a highly educational visit. They are also going to be completing an 8 week enterprise course culminating in them manufacturing and marketing their own products before selling them in April. All profits will go toward the £1200 the children are raising to help fund their trip to Barcelona in May. St John’s children are so spirited and keen to embrace the new opportunities and learning that their energetic teachers provide; it really is an invigorating place to work and learn together.
Sally Quirk
14
14
Prayer Fasting Almsgiving Commit to coming to at least one thing more during Lent …
The Beatitudes
Three talks on the Beatitudes, what they are and how they might help us. Thursday March 5th, 12th, 19th Simple soup supper 8pm, Talk 8.15pm
The Stations of the Cross Wednesdays @ 7.30pm Fridays @ 10.30am Come and walk the Way of the Cross with Jesus
Sacred Space Mondays 10am-11am
Fridays 2pm-3pm
Prayer Quiet Reflection
Sunday evenings in Lent 6pm Benediction
Fifteen minutes spent with Jesus
During Lent we will support the work of the Additional Curates Society. Boxes for Lent are now
available at the back of Church. ACS funds Curates in poor parishes where Priests are desperately need and every penny you give goes towards this important work.
15
15
Holy Week: Palm Sunday – March 29th
8am Said Mass
10am Parish Mass with Procession & Palms
Maundy Thursday - April 2nd
8pm Mass of the Lord’s Supper with washing of feet and procession to the Altar of Repose. The watch is kept till midnight
Good Friday – April 3rd
10am Stations of the Cross
3pm The Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion
Easter 2015: Holy Saturday – April 4th
9.30am Office of Readings & Morning Prayer
10am Children’s Making of the Easter Garden
8pm The Easter Vigil Easter Day – April 5th
8am Mass of Easter Dawn
10am The Family Mass
followed by Children’s Easter Egg Hunt
16
16
1
We are very fortunate to have Knole Park on our doorstep. It is the only surviving medieval deer park in Kent and I have been told that some of the deer grazing there today are descendants of the the herd kept by the Archbishops of Canterbury in the 15th century. The house itself, the residence of archbishops, monarchs, earls and dukes, has a fascinating history and inside contains some of the finest Stuart decoration and furnishing in the country. It is always worth taking a walk through the park to enjoy the changing vistas of landscape and buildings and for many years now it has been the custom at St John’s to celebrate New Year’s Day by a Mass, followed by soup and a bacon roll in the Parish
2
Room and then a walk in Knole Park.
The weather on 1 January is not of course always as clement as we would wish. In 2014 the walk had to be abandoned because of driving rain. This year the rain stopped in time, but it
A WALK IN KNOLE PARK
17
17
3
was cold and overcast when a small but cheerful band of parishioners made its way from the Buck’s Head at Godden Green into Knole Park, stepping along muddy tracks and around icy puddles (or in the case of Lawrence wading through them). We were not alone in the park, as many other walkers were also braving the weather - and the deer of course have no choice. We returned to Godden Green after an hour or two, refreshed by the exercise and still cheerful (though in the case of Lawrence with damp feet).
4
Good though this was, it is impossible to ignore the fact that the number of walkers has declined over the years. Maybe we should consider doing something different on New Year’s Day next year that would attract more support and/or rescheduling the walk to a time of year when the sun is more likely to shine. If you have any views or suggestions, please let me know.
David Bonner
18
18
The above figures show the PCC's Charitable Donations for 2014. The policy has continued with 5% of general income being allocated by the PCC and a greater emphasis on specific collections.
Douglas Seal
Charitable Giving 2014
PCC Allocation
Specific Collections
£ £
Overseas USPG 75
Papua New Guinea 175 Christian Aid (retiring collections)- CA week
161
- Iraq
382 Poverty and Hope
126
Diocese of St Helena
218
250 887
Home St John's C E Primary School 1000
Additional Curates Society - Lent Boxes
292 - Retiring collection
251
Sevenoaks Area Youth Trust 175 British Heart Foundation - Funeral collection
448
Gideons 175 Kent Churches Ride and Stride
232
Crisis - Christmas collections
480 Shelter - Christmas collections
480
C of E Children's Society - Christingle collection
267
1350 2450
Total - per Accounts 1600 3337
19
19
1
The annual church accounts for the year to 31 December 2014 have now been prepared and copies will be available for the annual meeting on 22 March 2015. Total Income in the year amounted to £91,093 and Total Expenditure amounted to £96,640. This is the predicted outcome with a deficit of £5,547. It is anticipated that our costs will again exceed our income in 2015. If we are to break-even in 2015 we need to increase our stewardship giving. If you wish to commence
MONEY MATTERS
2
giving by means of a banker’s order or complete a gift aid form for the first time, please collect the appropriate form from the back of the church and note on the form if you wish to start using stewardship envelopes. Thank you very much to all who have recently increased their giving by bankers order or stewardship envelopes. More details of income and expenditure for 2014 will be available in the Annual Report and Accounts. Please speak to me if you have any queries.
Douglas Seal (Tele 456124)
Sunday 22nd March 2015 Annual Parish Church Meeting
after the 10am Mass
20
20
Many of you have probably noticed the list of names on the wooden wall of the vestry in the sacristy corridor. The lists refer to those who were confirmed in the years between 1895 and 2011. (I do not know why they ceased in that year).
There are two of my uncles listed, namely Albert Seal in 1905 and Rupert Seal in 1909. Their mother, Mary Seal (my grandmother) was a member of St John’s Mothers Union and all her children were confirmed.
Albert enlisted in the East Lancashire Regiment in the early part of the First World War but unfortunately was killed in action in Flanders at the age of 25 on 15 March 1915 (exactly one hundred years ago). He is one of the many thousands of soldiers with no known grave but is remembered on the Le Touret Memorial and also the Sevenoaks War Memorial.
Rupert lived most of his married life in Seal Road. Two of his children still live in the same house and Albert is a regular worshipper at St John’s.
Douglas Seal
47 Cobden Road
Confirmations
21
21
Lent Lunch Sunday March 8th, from
noon in the Parish Hall
£5 for adults, children free in aid of the Mothers’ Union Overseas Fund.
St John’s Branch meetings: Tuesday 10th March, 10.15am: Prayer Group Tuesday 14th April, 10.15am: Prayer Group (both meetings held at 12 Holmesdale Road)
All welcome!
22
22
23
23
24
24
25
25
Gardener’s Corner
26
26
27
27